Disposable sink strainer



1965 H. c. HARRISON ETAL 3,216,644

DISPOSABLE S INK STRAINER 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 14, 1962 INVENTOR Hzmrr C. Hmzmsou HENRY HARmso ATTORNEYS N 1965 H. c. HARRISON ETAL 3,215,644

DISPQSABLE SINK STRAINER 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 14 1962 INVENTORS' HENRY C.HARRISON HENRY HARRISON BY fi w fig? 6W ATTORNEYS 1965 H. c. HARRISON ETAL 3,

DISPOSABLE SINK STRAINER 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 14, 1962 INVENTORS HENRY GHARRISON HENRY HARRISON 6 04x014 QMQ) FIG. 1.31

ATTORNEYS United States Patent Office 3,216,644 Patented Nov. 9, 1965 3,216,644 DISP'OSABLE SINK STRAINER Henry C. Harrison, 94 Bayview Ave., Port Washington, N.Y., and Henry Harrison, Frost Creek Drive, Locust Valley, NY.

Filed Feb. 14, 1962, Ser. No. 174,360 4 Claims. (Cl. 229-22) This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 32,022, filed May 26, 1960, now abandoned.

This invention relates to container constructions and has particular reference to new and improved disposable bags and sink strainers particularly adapted for household use.

It is common practice in many households to use a sink strainer which serves as a means for separating solid kitchen refuse from liquids mixed therewith, and which also serves as a conveniently-located receptacle for the solid refuse. Generally, the strainers in use today comprise a bucket-like structure made of a non-porous material and having perforations in the walls thereof. Such sink strainers are somewhat expensive to fabricate, and thus are designed for continual repeated use. In order to eliminate the undesirable chore of cleaning a sink strainer, and in order to save space, disposable sink strainers have heretofore been suggested. The prior disposable sink strainers, however, do not provide an adequate receptacle for the refuse, and tend to lose their operational shape under the action of fluids passing therethrough.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a disposable sink strainer which serves as an adequate receptacle for solid refuse, and at the same time is so constructed as to maintain its operational shape for somewhat extended periods of time.

Further objects of the present invention are: (a) to provide a sink strainer which will stand up, hold itself open, and withstand reasonable abuse in order to serve as a convenient receptacle for kitchen waste; (b) to provide a sink strainer which fits conveniently in a conventional sink; (c) to provide a sink strainer which will drain out liquids that are mixed with solid refuse, and accordingly to provide a disposable sink strainer with a sloping bottom wall and drain holes; (d) to provide a disposable sink strainer which is easily closed for disposal after filling, without unnecessary contact with the waste material Within the strainer; (e) to provide a disposable sink strainer which is transferable from sink to garbage pail without loss of solids therein, and accordingly to provide a disposable sink strainer in which drain holes are incorporated along one edge which can be raised when the strainer is lifted and carried; (f) to provide a disposable sink strainer of a material which is not so porous that it makes for dripping; (g) to provide a disposable sink strainer which will fold flat and set up easily; (h) to provide a disposable sink strainer which in fabrication requires a minimum amount of material of low unit cost, and which is suitable for machine fabrication; (i) to provide such a disposable sink strainer which can be manufactured with existing techniques and machinery employed in the packaging industry; and (j) to provide a novel sink strainer construction having inclined bottom walls of differing geometrical configurations.

A still further, and more specific object of the present invention is to provide a disposable sink strainer incorporating reinforcing means and draining apertures, which reinforcing means and apertures can be provided on the sheet of material from which the strainer is made prior to the time that such sheet of material is folded to form the final structure.

In its simplest and basic aspects, one embodiment of the present invention provides a generally triangular disposable sink strainer formed of a foldable sheet of material such as wet strength paper and having a bottom wall and side walls projecting upwardly therefrom to define a hollow body into which solids and fluids can be dumped, but from which body substantially only fluids drain. Preferably, the side walls of the strainer carry a reinforcing strip adjacent the edge of the side walls remote from the bottom wall, and the strainer is perforated adjacent the bottom wall. Also, according to the invention, fold lines are provided on the bottom wall and one of the side walls whereby the bottom wall and that one side wall can be folded between the other side walls to flatten the strainer. Further modifications of this arrangement include circular, rectangular, and various polygonal constructions.

The invention will be better understood, and objects other than those specifically set forth'above, will become apparent, when consideration is given to the following detailed description of the various embodiments of the invention.

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a sheet of material provided with a reinforcing strip, and adapted to be folded in accordance with the invention to provide a disposable sink strainer;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the sheet of rnaterial shown in FIGURE 1 after the same has been subjected to the first folding operation in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view similar to FIGURE 2 but showing the sheet of material of FIGURE 1 after the same has been subjected to a first folding operation according to a modified embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the sheet shown in FIGURE 2, but presenting an intermediate position assumed by the portions of the sheet immediately prior to the time that the end portions of the sheet forming side walls of the strainer are joined together;

FIGURE 5 is a plan view of the bottom of the preferred form of strainer provided by the invention when the same has been set up for use;

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of the preferred strainer structure showing the manner in which the strainer can be flattened;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmental detailed view showing the H relationship between two side walls of the strainer and the bottom wall thereof;

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of the preferred form of strainer provided by the invention, and shows such strainer in the shape which it would assume while being used;

FIGURE 9 is a perspective view of the strainer shown in FIGURE 8 after such strainer has been used, closed, and is ready to be discarded;

FIGURE 10 is a plan view of a blank for a generally triangular waste container having an inclined bottom wall;

FIGURE 11 is a view of the blank in FIGURE 10 folded in half during an intermediate stage of assembly;

FIGURE 12 is a view of the assembled container blank in FIGURE 10;

FIGURE 13 is a plan view of a container blank having a generally flat bottom wall;

FIGURE 14 is a perspective view of the container blank in FIGURE 13 in assembled position;

FIGURE 15 is a plan view of a container blank adapted to be formed into a generally cylindrical stack with an oppositely inclined circular bottom wall;

FIGURE 16 is a perspective view of the assembled container blank in FIGURE 15;

FIGURE 17 is a plan view of a container blank adapted to be formed into an entirely closed container having opposed inclined end walls;

FIGURE 18 is a perspective view of the container blank in FIGURE 17 in assembled position;

FIGURE 19 is a plan view of a container blank for a hexagonal container with oppositely inclined bottom wall portions; and,

FIGURE 20 is a perspective View showing the container blank in FIGURE 19 in assembled position.

If reference is first made to FIGURE 8, it will be noted that the strainer is generally designated by the numeral 2. It comprises a bottom wall 4, and side walls 6, 8 and 10 which project upwardly from the bottom wall to define a hollow body into which solids and fluids can be dumped, but from which body substantially only fluids drain. Preferably, a plurality of drain apertures 12 are provided adjacent the junction of the bottom wall 4 with the side wall 6, and the bottom wall 4 slopes toward such apertures to facilitate draining of liquid from the strainer. A reinforcing strip is carried by the side walls in a hem 18 adjacent the edge of such side walls remote from the bottom wall.

The strainer is preferably formed from a sheet of paper of wet strength, but it should be understood that although wet strength paper is particularly desirable because of its minimum cost, the strainer can be made from various other types of foldable and flexible sheet material which will retain their general shape when wet under the action of gravity. Similarly, while the reinforcing strip which is used in the strainer preferably comprises a length of bendable metal wire, strips of metal or nonmetal material which will serve the desired function can be used without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

Before considering further detailed characteristics of component parts of an assembled strainer as described above, attention will be directed to the preferred steps of fabrication. It is to be understood at the outset, however, that while the procedure described below is preferred, the steps of fabrication can be performed in various other sequences and manner without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

Preferably, initially, a sheet of foldable material such as designated by the numeral 16 in FIGURE 1, is folded over along one longitudinal edge to provide a hem 18. The strip of reinforcing material or wire is passed through the hem 18 and thus fixed adjacent one longitudinal edge of the sheet 16. The reinforcing strip or Wire 20 can be corrugated if desired to facilitate bending, however, this has been found unnecessary to proper functioning of the strainer. The sheet 16 is a cut-off from an elongated strip or roll of material in which a hem has been continuously formed andcemented along one edge over a continuous wire.

As explained in some detail hereinbelow, the sheet 16 is folded along certain axes or lines to form the final strainer structure. Such lines or axes are presented in FIGURE 1. By reference to that figure, it will be noted that a first fold line or axis 26 extends parallel to the hem 18 and is spaced from that hem by a distance which will become the height of the strainer. Fold line 26 is spaced from the other longitudinal edge 19 of the sheet 16 by a distance which will become the length of the flaps or panels which form the bottom of the strainer. Between the fold line 26 and the hem 18 are second and third fold lines or axes 22 and 24, which extend perpendicular to the fold line 26, and which divide the portion of the sheet 16 adjacent the hem into three rectangular panels, A, B' and C. The space between line 22 and edge 21 of sheet 16 is preferably equal to the space between line 24 and edge 23 of such sheet, while the space between the lines 22 and 24 is preferably a little greater than the space between line 22 and the edge 21.

Between line 26 and edge 19, extending from point 60 at the intersection of lines 22 and 26 to the edge 19, are two additional fold lines and 30. Two corresponding fold lines 27 and 28 extend from point 62 at 4 the intersection of lines 24 and 26 to the edge 19. Lines 25 and 27, which converge symmetrically, divide the portion of the sheet adjacent the longitudinal edge 19 into three trapezoidal panels, X, Y and Z. Lines 30 and 28 mark off two equal triangular sub-panels X and Z from panels X and Z. As will become apparent hereinbelow, fold lines 25, 30 and 27, 28 facilitate the formation of corners at the points 68 and 62.

The fold lines which have been described hereinabove are provided to facilitate formation of a strainer which will assume the operational shape shown in FIGURE 8. The invention provides additional fold lines, however, which facilitate folding of the strainer flat as illustrated in FIGURE 6. Accordingly, also shown in FIGURE 1 are dashed fold lines which provide for such flattening.

The first of such fold lines extends centrally of the sheet 16 and perpendicular to the longitudinal edges thereof. The line consists of portions 50 and 52, portion 50 extending across panel B, and portion 52 extending across panel Y.

As will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, when the strainer is folded flat as shown in FIGURE 6 along the fold line consisting of portions 50 and 52, additional fold lines 54 and 56 extending from the corner points 60 and 62 to a point 74 near the middle of panel B are desirable to allow for smooth pleating of the strainer without buckling.

Once the strainer has been folded in the manner described hereinbelow, panels X and Z both have portions crossing the center line of the bottom of the strainer. Accordingly, when the strainer is folded, the panels X and Z are also folded, thus, fold lines 52 and 52" which in folded condition of the strainer are aligned with fold line 52, are provided.

The fold lines which are shown as dashed in FIGURE 1, like the fold lines which are shown as solid lines in FIGURE 1, can be scored into the strip or sheet prior to forming of the strainer, or they may be formed as the strainer is formed.

In addition to the sets of fold lines described hereinabove, one additional set of fold lines is provided. These lines are designated by the numerals 76 and 78 in FIG- URE 1, and they extend parallel to the end edges 21 and 23 of the sheet 16. The fold lines 76 and 78 will, as explained hereinbelow, be glued together and form a seam along the edges 21 and 23 of the sheet. When such a seam is formed, the bottom of the strainer slopes downwardly from the seam. Accordingly, fold lines and 72 are provided at the edges of the sloping bottom of the strainer. Line 70 extends from corner point 60 to the intersection of line 52" with line 76, while line 72 extends from the corner point 62 to the intersection of lines 52" and 78. These last-mentioned fold lines preferably are provided automatically when the strainer is folded, however, they could be previously scored into the strip or sheet if desired.

If reference is made to FIGURE 2, it will be noted that the initial step of the operations used to form the strainer 2 from the sheet 16 as shown in FIGURE 1, is that of folding sections X, Y and Z downwardly along the axis 26, and then folding the sheet of material 16 along the axes 22 and 24. This results in having the portion x of section X folded over the upper portion of section X, as shown in FIGURE 2, and having the portion Z folded over the upper portion of section Z. After the sheet has been so folded, then sections X and Z are folded inwardly as shown in FIGURE 4. A portion of' same time pressing the panels A and C together to flatten the strainer.

The various seams of the strainer should be cemented together with waterproof glue or the like. The glue may be applied to suitable areas of the strip or sheet before forming, or may be applied at appropriate stages of the forming process. In any case, the bottom panels X, Y and Z must be secured together, and the edges 21 and 23 must be joined at the seam 36. Preferably the glue securing the panels X, Y and Z together is sutficiently tacky to hold them during the pleating operation. When the flattened strainer is pressed together, all of the glue joints are pressed, so the glue may be allowed to take its final set after the strainers are pressed and packaged.

Preferably the whole length of seam 36 should be cemented, to prevent leakage and to strengthen the foot of the strainer. Near the bottom of seam 36, portions of panel-s A, C, X and Z are all superposed. These should all be cemented togetherv From FIGURE 7, it is evident that when the strainer is set up, a portion of panel Z between bend lines 70 and 26 lies against panel A, and a portion of panel Z between bend lines 72 and 26 lies against panel C. If these two faces are cemented, the strainer is stronger, but for reasons of economy, it is preferred to leave them uncemented except at seam 36.

In addition to the embodiment of the invention described in connection with FIGURE 4, there is also provided an alternative embodiment in which the bottom, before pleating, is rectangular, rather than trapezoidal as shown in FIGURE 4. This embodiment is presented in FIGURE 3. The embodiment of FIGURE 3 is perhaps easier to visualize, and may in some instances be better adapted for manufacture on existing packaging machinery. In the embodiment of FIGURE 3, a greater length of panels X, Y and Z is required between bend lines 26 and edge 19, and consequently, more paper is required. This is one disadvantage of such embodiment. Another difference between the embodiment of FIGURE 4 and the embodiment of FIGURE 3 is that the FIG- URE 3 embodiment has a steeper bottom wall, when set up, than the preferred embodiment shown in the other figures.

By referring to FIGURE 5, which presents a bottom view of the strainer as seen perpendicular to the bottom surface, it will be seen that seam 36 projects from the lower apex of the triangular bottom wall, and this seam is formed by the secured portions of the edge 23 and the edge 21 of sections C and A respectively. With this construction, the bottom Wall 4 slopes from the end 42 of the seam down toward the wall of the strainer formed by section B of the original sheet.

FIGURE 7 presents the detailed construction of the seam 36 and the relationship of the bottom wall 4 thereto. By referring to that figure, it will be noted that sections A and C of the original sheet 16 shown in FIGURE 1 are secured together at the seam 36 and that the bottom wall 4 slopes into that seam. The bottom wall 4 adjacent the seam 36 consists of folded portions of sections X and Z of the original sheet 16.

A strainer which has been formed in accordance with the above description has, in its open position, a shape like that of the strainer designated by the numeral 2 in FIGURE 8. The side walls 6, 8 and 10 of such strainer consist of sections B, C and A respectively of the sheet of material 16 shown in FIGURE 1. The bottom wall 4 of such strainer is made up of folded and overlapping portions of sections X, Y and Z of the sheet 16 in FIG- URE 1. A hem 18 carrying a reinforcing strip such as that designated by the numeral 20 in FIGURE 1 is carried by the side walls of the strainer adjacent the edge of such side walls remote from the bottom wall. Preferably, as indicated above, drain apertures 12 are provided adjacent the bottom wall 4 to promote the draining of fluids from the strainer. It should be apparent that the 6 draining apertures 12 could be punched into the sheet 16 shown in FIGURE 1 along the axis 26 prior to folding of the sheet 16 if desired.

Thus, all of the assembly operations, aside from folding, could be performed on the original sheet. More particularly, the reinforcing strip can be secured to the sheet in the hem 18 as described above, the drain apertures can be punched into the sheet prior to folding, and if desired an adhesive can be applied to selected portions of the sheet prior to folding so that the overlapping portions of the sheet will be secured together upon contact with one another.

The strainer 2 shown in FIGURE 8 provides an adequate receptacle for kitchen refuse in that it is somewhat deep and retains its shape during operation by virtue of the reinforcing strip or medium. Refuse is dumped into the strainer, and the liquids associated with such refuse drain from the strainer. After the strainer has been used, and solid refuse at least partially fills the strainer, then the strainer can be discarded. The reinforcing strip provides a convenient means for closing the strainer with the refuse therein so that it assumes the general shape shown in FIGURE 9 of the drawings. It should thus be apparent that the strip of bendable reinforcing mate-rial is adapted to serve two functions, namely, the function of supporting the side walls in spaced relation while the strainer is being used, and the function of providing a means for closing the strainer when it is desired to discard the same.

As set forth hereinabove, the invention provides a strainer which is adapted to conveniently be folded to a flat position for shipping and storage purposes. In order to facilitate the flattening of the strainer, one of the side walls of the strainer and the bottom wall are provided with suitable fold lines. Preferably, the side wall 6 is provided with three fold lines such as those designated by the numerals 50, 54 and 56. Fold line 50 extends generally centrally of the side wall 6 and generally perpendicular to the bottom wall 4. Fold lines 54 and 56 extend from the corners of side wall 6 adjacent the junction of that wall with the bottom wall 4 to a point on the fold line 50 spaced from the junction of the side wall with the bottom wall. In other words, the fold lines 54 and 56 extend from the corners 60 and 62 to the point 58 on the fold line 50.

The bottom Wall 4 is provided with a fold line 52 which extends generally centrally of the bottom wall and in perpendicular relation to the fold line 50. The fold line 50 and the fold line 52 are contiguous.

When fold lines such as those designated by numerals 50, 54 and 56 and 52 are provided, then if one applies some pressure to the wall 6 on either side of the fold line 50, the wall 6 will fold inwardly in the direction of arrow 64 between the side walls 8 and 10. As the wall 6 folds inwardly along the fold line 50, the bottom wall 4 folds upwardly in the direction of arrow 66. FIGURE 6 shows the strainer of FIGURE 8 while the same is being folded in accordance with the above to the flat position.

By again referring to FIGURE 8, it will be noted that during the folding of the strainer 2 to the flat position, the portions P and Q of the wall 6 fold into overlapping relation with the portions P and Q of the wall 6 to allow the bottom wall 4 to fold in between the side walls 8 and 10 of the strainer.

Although the preferred embodiment of the invention provides for having the fold lines 54 and 56 on the wall 6 of the strainer, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that fold lines such as those designated by numerals 54 and 56 could be provided on the bottom wall of the strainer, and the strainer would fold to flattened position in generally the same manner as that described above. The only difference would be that portions of the side wall 6 such as those designated by P and Q would not fold into overlapping relation with portions P and Q, but instead portions of the bottom wall corresponding to the portions designated by P and Q would fold into overlapping relation with other portions of the bottom wall corresponding to portions P and Q.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawing, the bottom wall is merely folded in half when the strainer is collapsed, and the side wall is folded in upon itself as well as in half. In the modification suggested, the side wall would merely be folded in half, and the bottom wall would be folded in upon itself as well as in half. However, the disadvantage of this modification is that it tends to weaken the bottom of the strainer.

With either embodiment, however, there is provided a disposable sink strainer formed from a generally rectangular sheet of flexible material. The rectangular sheet can take the form of that designated by the numeral 16 in FIGURE 1, and attached to such sheet is a strip of reinforcing material such as that designated by the numeral 20. The strip of reinforcing material extends adjacent and parallel to one longitudinal edge of the sheet. The sheet is folded along a first axis such as that designated by numeral 26 parallel to, but spaced from the longitudinal edges of the sheet. Second and third axes such as those designated by numerals 22 and 24 extend perpendicular to the first axis 26 toward the hem 18 and are spaced from one another whereby all of the fold axes divide the portion of the sheet between axis 26 and hem 18 into one group of three sections, A, B and C. Additional fold lines, namely lines 25, 30 and 27, 28 extend from the corners of section B diagonally across the portion of the sheet between axis 26 and edge 19, and divide such portion into three trapezoidal sections X, Y and Z. Sections A, B and C in one of the groups are adjacent the reinforcing strip or hem 18, and sections X, Y and Z which comprise the other group of sections are spaced from the reinforcing strip or hem 18 by the sections of the first group, namely, sections A, B and C. The middle section Y of one group of sections, and sections X and Z on either side of section Y have portions which are secured together, and the three sections form the bottom wall of the strainer. Sections A, B and C of the original sheet define the side walls of the strainer, sections B forming the rear wall shown in FIGURE 8, and sections A and C being secured together along the seam 36 to form the remaining side walls of the strainer. The seam 36 is spaced from the junction of sections A and C with section B.

Referring now to FIGURE 10, there is shown a blank 80 of generally rectangular configuration having a central fold line 82 parallel to the end edges 84 and 86. Opposed fold lines 88 and 90 are equally spaced in parallel relationship relative to the central fold line 82.

Extending perpendicular to the end edges 84 and 86, at one side of the center of the blank 80, is a longitudinal fold line 92 extending the entire length of the blank. At the intersection of the fold lines 92 and 88 is a first diagonal fold line 94 extending to the central fold line 82 at one side of the blank; a second fold line 96 extends from this point of intersection to the opposite side of the blank 80, intersecting this central fold line 82 adjacent the side wall. In a like manner, symmetrically opposed diagonal fold lines 98 and 100 intersect the respective extremities of the fold lines 94 and 96. Conveniently, hem lines 102 and 104 are spaced inwardly of the sides of the blank 80 in parallel relationship and intersect the apices of the fold lines 96, 100, and 94, 98, respectively. The fold lines 106 and 108 are carried parallel to the respective end edges 84 and 86. Spaced apart slits 110 intersect the fold line 92 in the area of the blank intermediate the parallel fold lines 88 and 90 so that when the blank is assembled, the triangle between fold lines 92, 94, and 98 forms the bottom B of the container and is inclined so that the fold line 92 constitutes the bottommost portion of the container bottom wall.

The fold lines 96 and 100 each bisect a square while the fold lines 94 and 98 are diagonals of a rectangle, as is apparent. Extending oppositely from the intersection of the fold lines 92 and 88 is a joint line 112 of glue, adhesive or the like forming an identical triangle relative to the fold lines 92. Likewise, there is provided a joint line 114 adapted to overlay the fold line 96 upon assembly of the blank. Joint lines 116 and 118 extend from the intersection of the fold line 92 with the fold line 90 in a similar relationship with respect to the angle of the fold lines 98 and 100 which extend from this common point of intersection.

In its assembled condition, FIGURE 12, the blank is formed with the triangle bounded between lines 92, 94, and 98 constituting an inclined bottom wall B sloping downwardly from the apex to the fold line 92. The opposite triangles bounded between lines 88, 94, and 90, 98 are folded downwardly so that the lines 88 and define the bottom edge of the container. Accordingly, the rectangles bounded by lines 88, 92 and 90, 92, form upright side walls S, S; and, these walls are maintained in fixed engagement with respect to the inclined bottom wall by the line 112 being adhesively joined to the fold line 94 and the line 116 being adhesively joined to the fold line 98.

The squares bisected by the diagonal fold lines 96 and are folded over one another so that the joint lines 114 and 118 intersect the adjacent fold lines, the rectangular portions bounded by the lines 92, 88, 102 and 92, 90, 102,

each forming the end walls portions E, E of the container, respectively. Suitable adhesive 120 is carried by the resective areas of the hem lines as necessary to join the blank 80 bounded by the sidewalls together.

By virtue of the provision of the slits 110 at the lowermost extremity of the inclined bottom wall B liquids in the refuse flows to this region, where the liquid is expelled from the container so that undesirable liquids will not tend to weaken the container paper.

As with the previous embodiment of this invention, suitable wire W is advantageously carried adjacent the fold lines 106 and 108, the wire being suitably hemmed in the top part of the container by adhesive, staples, or the like. Thus, when the container is filled with refuse, the container is firmly closed by gripping the container top and forcing the wires together, generally as shown in FIG- URE 9.

Referring now to FIGURES 13 and 14, a generally rectangular container blank is divided by a central fold line 132 parallel to the end edges of the blank. Fold lines 134 and 136 are carried in opposed, parallel relationship to the fold line 132. These latter lines define the bottom side corners of the assembled container. Carried inwardly of the side edges of the blank 130 are parallel fold lines 138 and 140 which divide the container into squares at each side with respect to the parallel fold lines 132, 134 and 136.

These squares are bisected by diagonal fold lines 142, 144 which intersect one another at one side of the blank and intersect the fold line 132, terminating at the opposite diagonal corners thereof.

Similarly, the opposite squares are bisected with fold lines 146 and 148 which likewise intersect one another at the opposite end of the fold line 132. A symmetrically opposed adhesive joint line 150 intersects the inner extremity of the diagonal fold line 142, while similar joint lines 152, 154, and 156 intersect the respective extreme ends of the fold lines 144, 146 and 148.

Flap edges 158, 160, 162, and 164 extend alternatively from the portions of the blank 130 defined by the parallel score lines 134, 132 and 136, respectively, for reasons to become apparent.

In its assembled condition in FIGURE 14, the fold line 132 traverses the central bottom wall of the blank, the bottom wall terminating at its side extremities with fold lines 134 and 136. The side walls are maintained by folding the adjacent squares over one another and joining lines 150, and 142, 144 and 152, 146 and 154, and 148 and 156. The side walls are conveniently maintained in their upright position by gluing the extending flaps 158, 160, 162, and 164 to the respective end surface of the walls. Conveniently, slits (not shown) may be carried adjacent the score lines 134 and 136 as the container is thereby utilized for handling refuse. Suitable slits (not shown) may be carried adjacent the fold lines 134 and 136; and wires (not shown) may be carried at the top of the walls.

Reference is now made to FIGURES and 16 which provide a one-piece blank construction for a generally cylindrical container having a bottom wall of symmetrically opposed curvature. In FIGURE 15, the blank 170 is of generally rectangular configuration having a central transverse fold line 172 and opposed and parallel fold lines 174 and 176 extending oppositely therefrom. A tab 178 extends from one end of the rectangular blank 170 and alternating flaps 180, 182, 184 and 186 extend from alternate sides of the container or between the score lines 174, 172, and 176, similar to the arrangement in FIGURE 13, for carrying adhesive to join the sidewalls together. Extending from the imaginary longitudinal center line of the blank 170 and the intersection of the fold line 174 are oppositely extending arcuate fold lines 188, and 190, which terminate in the intersection with fold line 172 adjacent the sides of the blank 170. Similarly, arcuate fold lines 192 and 194 extend from the center of the fold line 176 to the sides of the blank 170, intersecting the fold line 172. From the intersection of the arcuate fold lines 188 and 190 with one another, symmetrically opposed arcuate adhesive joint lines 196 and 198 extend to the side walls of the blank 170.

Likewise opposed arcuate lines 200 and 202 extend from the center of the opposite fold line 176 to the opposed sides of the blank 170.

In FIGURE 16 this container blank 170 is shown in the upright, assembled position wherein the lines 188, and 196, 190 and 198 and 192, 200 and 194, 202 are joined to one another. The opposed two walls extending outwardly of the fold lines 174 and 176 are curved in a cylindrical stack-like arrangement, so that the container rests on the fold lines 174 and 176. The flaps 180, 182, 184, and 186 are joined to the adjacent sidewall portions, as is apparent. By virtue of this arrangement, the bottom wall bounded by the arcuate fold lines is generally curved, sloping downwardly from opposed ends to the lowermost central portion.

Reference is now made to FIGURES 17 and 18 which show a container blank 210 adapted to be folded so as to provide both end walls with a generally V-shaped configuration as viewed in elevation. The blank 210 is of generally rectangular configuration, having opposed side edges 212 and 214 and opposed end edges 216 and 218. A longitudinal fold line 220 extends along the center of the blank 219 from the opposite ends. The central portion of the blank is defined by two parallel fold lines 222 and 224, the area of the blank between these lines de fining two adjacent side walls of the completed container construction. Spaced parallel and outwardly of these latter fold lines are told lines 226 and 228. The areas of the blank between the fold line 226 and the end edge 216, at fold line 228 and the end edge 218 form the opposite side walls of the container with respect to the sidewall area between the fold lines 222 and 224.

The area of the blank 216 between the fold lines 222 and 226 includes one end wall of the assembled container, while the area between the fold lines 224 and 228 defines the opposite end wall. Each of these assembled end walls is of V-shaped configuration in elevation wherein the fold lines 220 in this region constitutes the extremity or apex of each end wall. Thus, diagonal fold lines 230, and 232 extend from the intersection of the fold lines 220 and 226 terminating at their opposite extremities with a fold line 234. In a like manner, diagonal fold lines 236 and 238 extend from the intersection of the fold lines 222 and 220, and intersect the first-mentioned diagonal fold lines at their opposite extremities. As with the other embodiments of this invention, the end wall portion adjacent fold line 226 has opposed diagonal adhesive joint lines 240 and 242 adapted to engage the fold lines 230 and 232, respectively when the container is assembled. The two side walls bounded by the fold lines 222 and 224 likewise carry similar glue lines 244 and 246 for engagement with the respective diagonal fold lines 236 and 238. The remainder of the container blank 210 is formed of identical fold lines and joint lines, similar elements being referred to by like prime numerals.

Parallel hem lines 248 and 250 are positioned inwardly of the side edges 212 and 214, respectively, for carrying adhesive, staples, or the like to join the respective edges together. Adjacent the side edge 212 are V-slots 252 and 252', one between each panel of the end wall; and protruding pivotable tongues 254 and 254' extending outwardly beyond the opposite side edge 214, but are folded in the inter-mediate seam area outwardly of the fold line 250. In assembly, as shown in FIGURE 18, the following lines are joined to one another: 230 and 240, 232 and 242, 236 and 244, 238 and 246. The joints form a generally V-shaped end wall of which the line 220 between the fold lines 222 and 226 forms the apex-end of the container. The opposite end of the container is formed in identical fashion, and the end edges 216 and 218 are joined to one another by adhesive so as to be positioned opposite to the two side walls bounded by the fold lines 222, 224 and 216.

Reference is now made to FIGURES 19 and 20 which show a container blank formed into a hexagonal side-wall configuration, the blank being designated by the numeral 260. The blank 260 is of generally rectangular configuration being longitudinally split into three equal areas by spaced apart and parallel fold lines 262 and 264. The blank 260 is divided in half by a transverse fold line 266 and fold lines 268 and 270 are carried in equidistant, parallel and opposed relationship with respect to the fold line 266. The central portion of the blank 260 is thereby divided into a plurality of squares, diagonal lines 272, 274, 276 and 278 bisect the outermost squares, the lines 272 and 276 intersecting one another along one end of the line 266, while the opposite fold lines 274 and 278 intersect a fold line 266 at the other side of the blank.

The side walls outwardly of the fold lines 268 and 270 carry cooperatively extending adhesive joint lines 280, 282, 284 and 286. These latter joint lines intersect and are adapted to engage the diagonal fold lines 272, 274, 276, and 278, respectively. As with other embodiments of the invention, transversely extending hems 288 and 290 extend beyond longitudinal seam lines 292 and 294, respectively.

The blank in FIGURE 19 is shown in FIGURE 20 in its assembled position wherein the container bottom is flat in the rectangular area defined by the fold lines 268, 270, and 262, 264. The opposed triangular portions bound by the lines 272, 276 and 274, 278 extend upwardly, their respective opposed apices constituting the uppermost portions of the bottom wall. The respective joint lines are joined to the fold lines, as is apparent. The six identical wall portions outwardly of each fold line 268 and 270 complete the side walls of the containers so that the same is of a hexagonal configuration.

From the foregoing detailed description of the preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention, it should be apparent that the objects set forth at the outset of this specification have been successfully achieved.

We claim:

1. A generally rectangular blank of flexible material having two opposing side edges and two opposing end edges and being foldable to form a container having a generally uniformly inclined triangular bottom wall and three generally rectangular upstanding sidewalls adjacent thereto, said blank including: means defining a central fold line extending across said blank parallel to and intermediate said end edges; means defining a pair of transverse fold lines extending across said blank on either side of said central fold line, each fold line of said pair being spaced with respect to the other of the pair and with respect to said blank end edges to define three generally rectangular panels therebetween of substantially equal size and shape; means defining a longitudinally directed fold line on said blank extending between said blank end edges intermediate the blank side edges thereby intersecting said central fold line and each of said transverse fold lines; mean-s defining a first pair of diagonal fold lines each extending from an intersection of a transverse fold line and said longitudinally directed fold line to said central fold line at a .point thereon adjacent one of said blank side edges; means defining a second pair of diagonal fold lines each extending from an intersection of a transverse fold line and said longitudinally directed fold line to said central fold line at a'point thereon adjacent the other of said blank side edges; whereby the container formed upon folding said blank along said fold lines is defined by blank portions wherein the portion of said blank defined between said one side edge said longitudinally directed fold line and said end edges forms one of said upstanding side walls, the two portions of said blank defined between said longitudinally directed fold line, said other side edge, an end edge and a transverse fold line form two of said upstanding side walls and the portion of said blank defined between said second pair of diagonal fold lines and said longitudinally directed fold line forms said generally uniformly inclined triangular bottom Wall.

2. The blank of claim 1 further comprising means defining a plurality of openings in the central of said panels, adjacent said longitudinally directed fold line whereby when said blank is folded into a container liquid placed in the container can flow downwardly along said generally uniformly inclined bottom wall toward said openings and out of said container through said openings.

3. The blank of claim 1 further including stiffening means secured to the blank and extending along said one side edge.

4. A container folded from the blank of claim 1.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 587,967 8/97 Howe et al 22922 658,147 9/00 Herriott 229 X 805,453 11/05 Deegan et al.

988,453 4/11 Forney 22965 1,257,628 2/ 18 Murphy 22965 1,478,838 12/23 Reifsnyder 22961 X 1,555,054 9/25 Berkowitz.

1,698,462 1/ 29 Aasen 22965 2,033,285 3/36 Harvey 4-290 2,270,236 1/ 42 Blakemore 22922 2,378,503 6/45 Rohdin.

3,034,695 5/62 Berghgracht 22922 FRANKLIN T. GARRETT, Primary Examiner.

GEORGE O. RALSTON, Examiner. 

1. A GENERALLY RECTANGULAR BLANK OF FLEXIBLE MATERIAL HAVING TWO OPPOSING SIDE EDGES AND TWO OPPOSING END EDGES AND BEING FOLDABLE TO FORM A CONTAINER HAVING A GENERALLY UNIFORMLY INCLINED TRIANGULAR BOTTOM WALL AND THREE GENERALLY RECTANGULAR UPSTANDING SIDEWALLS ADJACENT THERETO, SAID BLANK INCLUDING: MEANS DEFINING A CENTRAL FOLD LINE EXTENDING ACROSS SAID BLANK PARALLEL TO AND INTERMEDIATE SAID END EDGES; MEANS DEFINING A PAIR OF TRANSVERSE FOLD LINES EXTENDING ACROSS SAID BLANK ON EITHER SIDE OF SAID CENTRAL FOLD LINE, EACH FOLD LINE OF SAID PAIR BEING SPACED WITH RESPECT TO THE OTHER OF THE PAIR AND WITH RESPECT TO SAID BLANK END EDGES TO DEFINE THREE GENERALLY RECTANGULAR PANELS THEREBETWEEN OF SUBSTANTIALLY EQUAL SIZE AND SHAPE; MEANS DEFINING A LONGITUDINALLY DIRECTED FOLD LINE ON SAID BLANK EXTENDING BETWEEN SAID BLANK END EDGES INTERMEDIATE THE BLANK SIDE EDGES THEREBY INERSECTING SAID CENTRAL FOLD LINE AND EACH OF SAID TRANSVERSE FOLD LINES; MEANS DEFINING A FIRST PAIR OF DIAGONAL FOLD LINES EACH EXTENDING FROM AN INTERSECTION OF A TRANSVERSE FOLD LINE AND SAID LONGITUDINALLY DIRECTED FOLD LINE TO SAID CENTRAL FOLD LINE AT A POINT THEREON ADJACENT ONE OF SAID BLANK SIDE EDGES; MEANS DEFINING A SECOND PAIR OF DIAGONAL FOLD LINES EACH EXTENDING FROM AN INTERSECTION OF A TRANSVERSE FOILD LINE AND SAID LONGITUDINALLY DIRECTED FOLD LINE TO SAID CENTRAL FOLD LINE AT A POINT THEREON ADJACENT THE OTHER OF SAID BLANK SIDE EDGES; WHEREBY THE CONTAINER FORMED UPON FOLDING SAID BLANK ALONG SAID FOLD LINES IS DEFINED BY BLANK PORTIONS WHEREIN THE PORTION OF SAID BLANK DEFINED BETWEEN SAID ONE SIDE EDGE AND LONGITUDINALLY DIRECTED FOLD LINE AND SAID END EDGES FORMS ONE OF SAID UPSTANDING SIDE WALLS, THE TWO PORTIONS OF SAID BLANK DEFIND BETWEEN SAID LONGITUDINALLY DIRECTED FOLD LINE, SAID OTHER SIDE EDGE, AN END EDGE AND A TRANSVERSE FOLD LINE FORM TWO OF SAID UPSTANDING SIDE WALLS AND THE PORTION OF SAID BLANK DEFINED BETWEEN SAID SECOND PAIR OF DIAGONAL FOLD LINES AND SAID LONGITUDINALLY DIRECTED FOLD LINE FORMS SAID GENERALLY UNIFORMLY INCLINED TRIANGULAR BOTTOM WALL. 